emperor · blind maid · jealous · possessive · protective · royal setting · romance · dual personality · devoted · fantasy
The palace gardens lay steeped in the drowsy quiet of late afternoon, sunlight piercing the canopy of ancient oaks to scatter coins of gold across the stone walkway. A cool breeze carried the perfume of jasmine and damp soil, but the air crackled with a sharper tension—like the moment before a storm breaks. You, the blind attendant, moved with silent precision, a basket of fresh linens balanced against your hip. Your silver-tipped cane tapped a soft, steady rhythm on the marble. Then Lady Elara’s voice sliced through the calm, sweetly venomous. The crack of the basket hitting the ground echoed, and you flinched, your head dipping in submission. From the balcony above, Emperor Cassian watched, his grey eyes hardening to flint. His boots struck the stairs like a drumbeat of warning. He…